NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CAMP

11TH - 14TH JULY 2024

A FOUR DAY PROGRAM GROWING YOUNG AUSTRALIAN LEADERS

National Leadership Camp is a highly interactive, challenging and motivating program that brings together students from across Australia. The program focuses on developing personal character and a sense of value, identity and purpose whilst also enhancing leadership and character resiliency skills.

Over four jam-packed days, the National Leadership Camp will delve into values, service, grit and vision to enable leadership growth and development. What sets the National Leadership Camp apart is the small group experience enabling mentored discussion and reflection. This unique opportunity allows students to unpack the highly engaging keynote speakers, interactive seminars and outdoor team challenges that make up the remainder of the program.

THE DETAILS
  • Year 10 - Year 12
  • 11th - 14th July 2024
  • The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops, NSW
  • $940 (GST Free)
  • Interested in our camp program? Click the button below to learn more

We recommend for the wellbeing of all students arriving from interstate or rural areas to arrive a night early on the 10th of July. This will be an extra cost of $110 which includes accommodation, airport and train station transfers, and all meals.

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GUEST SPEAKERS

PAST SPEAKERS INCLUDE

WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID

DOWNLOAD THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CAMP INFO PACK

A TRUSTED ORGANSATION BY SCHOOLS SUCH AS

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CAMP HAS TAUGHT ME THAT LEADERSHIP SKILLS ARE NOT ONLY USED IN SCHOOL BUT IN LIFE TOO. IT’S HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS WHAT THIS CAMP HAS DONE FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO WELCOMED INTO AN AMAZING GROUP. IT HAS GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE, SKILLS, AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES TO LIVE MY LIFE WELL.

VALUES. SERVICE. GRIT. VISION.

Values, service, grit and vision are the foundation to an authentic leader. Each day at National Leadership Camp is framed with a theme per day to dive deep into how we can lead ourselves and lead others.  To help us explore the particular theme of the day, the program (see below) is written to enhance, excite and challenge students understanding. We operate through an experience based program where young people who attend National Leadership Camp can not only hear great ideas but are able to put them into action in a safe and fun environment.

THE PROGRAM

Our program is based on over 16 years of experience running National Leadership Camp. The program is jam-packed and designed to make the most of the 4 days we have together. Throughout the 4 days, students are broken into small groups of approximately 10 other students. This small group is lead by 3 adult mentors who are specifically chosen by Burn Bright. The program is designed to have a variety of elements to create a holistic experience for everyone who attends. Each day, students participate in small group discussions, large teamwork based group challenges, listen to inspiring speakers from around Australia and New Zealand and are challenged and encouraged to think about what leadership means for them.

OUR SPEAKERS

Every year National Leadership Camp hosts a range of Australian leaders from different spheres and walks of life. We invite people who share their story and their learnings from their time as a leader and who bring immense experience and wisdom to the National Leadership Camp Delegates.  Past speakers have included Robyn Moore, Lifeguard Maxi, Hannah Darlington, Nathan Strempel, Matt De Groot, Lisa Griffiths, Pip Russell, Matt Purcell, Nathan Hulls, David Koch, Barnaby Howarth, Mike Baird and more! There are lots of surprises in store for next camp! Watch this space.

OUR MENTORS

Our fabulous and amazing team are the people who bring National Leadership Camp to life! We are lucky to have volunteers who come from all parts of Australia and New Zealand. These people give up their time because they understand and know the impact the National Leadership Camp has on young people. Our camps have such an inspiring effect and relevance, that many students decide to return to Burn Bright post their secondary schooling to ‘pay back’ and become Mentors to the next generation of leaders.

I HAVE FOUND THIS EXPERIENCE CHALLENGING YET HIGHLY REWARDING. I AM THANKFUL TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF EVERY SECOND OF THIS AND I FEEL THAT MY LIFE HAS BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER

WANT TO ATTEND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CAMP?

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST AND WE HANDLE THE REST

If you are 15-18 and want to attend National Leadership Camp this year, let us know by filling out the form here.

When you fill it out, we’ll get the ball rolling on finding a way to get you to camp and that starts by reaching out to your parent or guardian whose details you put down.

MIND SHIFTING IMPACT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

National Leadership Camp fosters an increase in positive emotion, more desire engage in passions and hobbies, higher recognition of fulfilling relationships, stronger connection to a sense “life purpose” plus a higher opinion of one’s own accomplishments.

This data is collected by an independent organisation, Assessing Wellbeing In Education (AWE). This data is collected through a pre, and post program survey, completed by students who attend the program. AWE uses a collection of validated psychometric scales to assess individuals subjective wellbeing: experiences, feelings, functioning, and perceptions of how their lives are going.

RESILIENCE

SELF-EFFICACY

Meaning

Accomplishment

positive emotion

Engagement

Relationships

Total Wellbeing

WOW OUR SON CAME BACK FROM CAMP AN EVEN MORE DRIVEN TEEN THEN WHAT HE WAS BEFORE. HE LOVED EVERY MINUTE AND SAID IT CHANGED HIS LIFE. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR DOING AN AMAZING JOB AND RUNNING THIS LEADERSHIP CAMP FOR THIS AGE GROUP. IT SOUNDED SO AMAZING, I WANT TO COME!!! HE HAS DEFINITELY PUT IN PLACE LOTS OF IDEAS AND VISIONS FOR WHAT HE WANTS TO ACHIEVE AND WE BOTH KNOW HE WILL KICK HIS GOALS. HE HAS THE WORLD AT HIS FEET AND WE KNOW HE WILL GO OUT AND WORK HARD FOR WHAT HE BELIEVES IN. THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE INCREDIBLE INSPIRING WORK.

THE NOMINATION PROCESS

1) A YOUNG PERSON IS NOMINATED TO ATTEND

A teacher, community member or a parent nominates a young person to attend National Leadership Camp, through the online nomination form, accessed from above.

2) THE DELEGATE APPLIES

Once a nomination has been submitted, the delegate will then receive correspondence to apply for their position – the application includes five short answer questions, detailing why the young person wishes to attend National Leadership Camp. At this stage they will also fill out a applicant profile that will include personal information and medical information.

3) REVIEW

Once the delegate application has been submitted, the Burn Bright Team will review their application and will notify the young person with an outcome of their application within 7 days. With a successful application, delegates will receive an official acceptance letter from Burn Bright. Parents and nominators will also be informed.

4) CONFIRMATION

A delegate will then need to formally accept their place via our delegate acceptance form – by clicking confirm and filling out transport details. Once this is completed, the delegate’s place is considered officially confirmed and the delegate is on their way to Camp.

5) ON YOUR WAY

The Burn Bright Team will be in communication in the lead-up to National Leadership Camp with all information delegates will need to prepare for their time at Camp – all parents and guardians will be looped into correspondence.

6) have a life-changing leadership experience

And leave National Leadership Camp with new friendships and with a valuable perspective on what it means to lead.

FAQs

There are two transportation options available:

1. Make your own way to and from: The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops, NSW

2. Supervised buses departing Sydney Domestic Airport and Hornsby Railway Station will be arranged for delegates needing transportation to the venue. In order for students to get access to supplied transport options, students must opt for the early arrival option.

Student flights and general transport bookings must be made to correspond with the following coaches times that will be made available here as more details are announced.

National Leadership Camp has a maximum capacity of 120 student attendees, including 10 returning delegates from the past years camp. Generally the first 120 young people to be nominated will be accepted. National Leadership Camp has State by State quotas in place to ensure it is a truly national event. Burn Bright does reserve the right to decline a nomination. If a nomination is declined full payment will be returned.

We are proud to say that National Leadership Camp in 2019 was endorsed by the Federal Government and the Minister for Education the Hon. Dan Tehan.

For two reasons. Firstly, we feel that adults in young people’s lives will be the best people to encourage their attendance at National Leadership Camp and help them prepare for the event. Secondly, we feel that National Leadership Camp is a truly impactful event and subsequently we ask that young people are nominated to have an adult they can check in with and process the experience once they return home. We encourage nominators to play a role in providing support, guidance, encouragement and helping young people to put into action what they learned at National Leadership Camp.

Any young person who shows an ability to influence others, who has a passion to make a difference in their school or community or who desires to enhance their leadership potential should attend.
Young people who attend National Leadership Camp are in Years 10 – 12 (15-18 years). We have found students in Years 10 and 11 get the most out of the experience.

National Leadership Camp has an adult to student ratio of 1:3. We ensure that we have a highly trained and skilled group of volunteers and Burn Bright employees who are on hand to ensure the experience is unforgettable for all students who attend. During the camp, students are broken into a small group of approximately 10 other students with 3 dedicated adult leaders. We have a camp counsellor on site 24/7 for any issues that may arise during the time away at camp. It is a requirement that every leader and team member who steps onsite at National Leadership Camp has a valid Working With Children Check and has passed a National Police Check. Male and female students are also provided with separate accommodation.

The actual cost of running the National Leadership Camp is approximately $1000 per student. However, to keep National Leadership Camp affordable Burn Bright fundraises to cover the difference. We do not want finances to be a barrier for anyone to attend. Therefore, we have put together a sponsorship kit (please email nlc@burnbright.org.au to request a copy), which gives you a letter of endorsement, as well as a host of fundraising ideas to assist you to raise the necessary funds to attend National Leadership Camp. Our team is happy to support you in any way possible.

We have found that the young people who put in an effort to fundraise to attend National Leadership Camp gain a whole lot more out of the experience than those who are sponsored with little or any effort. We have also found that young people who have a strong desire to attend have been able to raise the funds, as there are generally many businesses and organisations in each local community who are willing to support the initiative.

Please let us know sooner rather than later if money is an issue for you! Part and full scholarships will also be available for a limited amount of delegates based on a set criteria. Please email nlc@burnbright.org.au for more information.

GET IN TOUCH

I found Burn Bright in the midst of studying civil engineering at the University of Wollongong, just as I wanted a richer, deeper, more full experience of life.

Through Burn Bright, I have met many students and volunteers who are all seeking to find their place in the world. When we come together at NLC or SLC, no matter our age, we begin on the same page, of wanting to do good for ourselves, our community, and the world. And then we are thrown into a program that brings us closer to each other, our purpose, and how to bring forth this impact. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.

Volunteering with Burn Bright stoked a fire in me – It helped me feel comfortable in myself and made me realise life isn’t just about work, study, or productivity, but our relationships and how we connect with others along the way.

I have learned skills in videography, worked for a top-tier corporation in marketing, and most recently published a book called “18 and lost? So were we” 

I have a passion for storytelling, bring loads of energy wherever I go, and am dedicated to helping young people move through the initiation of leaving high school and going into the ‘real world’. 

The best part for me is being able to stay connected to the latest generation growing through high school. To see them grow, expand and express more of themselves is like watching an artwork paint itself. It’s magic.

I am Simon Thurston, a Kiwi based in Perth. I work as an Instructional Designer and in my spare time I enjoy reading, running, and board games.

Since my initial connection to Burn Bright I have been onboard with their mission. Burn Bright’s focus on building the capabilities enables students of all ages to see how they can shape their world through connections with others and their own self discovery.

Seeing others grow, learn, and open up is what keeps me coming back, to help others realise their potential and how they can influence their future and their community is a definite highlight. It’s infectious, the atmosphere when they run a program or camp is welcoming, exciting, emotional, and rewarding all in one.

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Hi, friends! I’m Kelsie, a psychologist from central QLD working in private practice. I got involved with Burn Bright officially in 2016, but the journey started long before that. I attended the National Leadership Camp (now hosted annually by Burn Bright) in 2009. It had such a profound impact on me that I returned as a mentor and volunteer. Those connections ultimately lead me to joining the Burn Bright team as an adult.

When I transitioned from facilitating with the Burn Bright team to working as a psychologist, I was so grateful for an incredible foundation of skills (particularly facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills) along with a strong grounding in positive psychology that Burn Bright integrates into their ethos.

I can’t imagine my life without volunteering for Burn Bright. I have met some of my dearest friends through the Burn Bright crew. I’ve found that volunteering for BB is rewarding, humbling, and often brings as much personal growth for the volunteer as it does for the young person.

From a professional perspective, I love that Burn Bright programs/camps support the adolescent individuation process by providing an exciting and supportive environment for teens to explore their own sense of self, personality, identify and values alongside other young people.

Imagine this POV: you’re back at school wanting to figure everything out and fit in – and you find
yourself in a room with amazing music that uplifts you and hooks you in. You meet the team of
dynamic, interesting, caring facilitators whose own friendships inspire you. Their facilitation skills bring about amazing light-bulb moments and lessons that light a fire inside you… It makes me want to feel that for myself again. The next best thing, for me, is volunteering for the team who passes that on to other young people.

My start at Burn Bright is one of the best cases of one door closing and another door opening. After losing my job at a local pub while on uni holidays, I started looking for new opportunities that were different and decided to volunteer. Searching for opportunities, I found working bees, community driving and nursing home visits, but the chance to become a National Leadership Camp intern stood out. Over nearly six months, I worked with the team to pull off Burn Bright’s first National Leadership Camp, and had an absolute blast in the process. After camp, I started working for Burn Bright while studying, doing anything and everything — data analysis, hiring strategy and even picking up furniture.

Finishing up working for Burn Bright in 2019, I am still actively involved with the Burn Bright volunteer community. I’ve found that the emphasis placed on investing in your relationships, understanding your values and making an impact allow you to be accepted for you. This has given me the tools needed to make the difficult decisions that life will inevitably throw at you. Besides all that, I’ve had a ton of fun and formed life-long friendships with people I may have never crossed paths with otherwise. “Get involved — you’ll change your life for the better and make life‑long friends in the process”.

I am a health science student from Perth wanting to get into the mental health realm of occupational therapy. In the meantime, I work as a barista and supervisor at a beachside café. In my spare time, I love to play netball, be around my friends and I have just gotten into crocheting. I went to Perth College where I was lucky enough to go to the first Perth College Leadership Camp in 2018 as a student and absolutely loved it. What really drew me in was the atmosphere that was created, the open conversations, and the lasting relationships formed.

Since then I have been a mentor for the Perth College Leadership Camp in 2019, 2020, and 2021 and had the opportunity to go to the National Leadership Camp in 2019. When Burn Bright comes to Perth I also love helping out at their programs as much as I can.

Volunteering for Burn Bright has given me so much that I could never have imagined. I have learned so much about myself and I have so much more confidence in myself and my abilities that I know I wouldn’t have had if I wasn’t exposed to the amazing opportunities volunteering for Burn Bright has given me. Before being involved I would never have seen myself being a mentor, role model, and facilitator to students, but now I can confidently say that I am, and I have made an impact on others that I am proud of. I have also made so many meaningful connections to so many amazing people from all around Australia through Burn Bright. I get asked quite a bit why I keep coming back to my old school to volunteer and it’s simply because I was given this amazing opportunity to be a part of the Burn Bright programs and if I can help facilitate that experience to someone else then why wouldn’t I?

I was born in Perth and moved to Sydney in my early 20’s to continue work as a youth worker and surfboard maker. This was followed by 30 years working in IT as a computer programmer.

Following retirement in 2016 I searched for an organisation that was aligned with my values of servant leadership and service, especially in the youth space. This search led to Burn Bright where I am now volunteering one day a week and mentoring at the National Leadership Camp. Volunteering with Burn Bright gives me a great deal of hope and confidence in the next generation of leaders. It is a pleasure to be a part of the Burn Bright family.

I have been married to Denise for 41 years and we both very much feel part of the Burn Bright team.

When not at Burn Bright you may find me running along Manly beach, riding my mountain bike or indulging in my passion for photography.

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Hi! I’m Rosie, a 20-something full-time public servant, part-time Tassie tourism advocate.

I am passionate about seeing young people succeed, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than watching them become the next generation of change-makers.

I have been a champion of the ethos and work of Burn Bright since its inception in 2014, and consider them to be the leading experts in their field. By delivering impactful leadership and wellbeing programs to students across Australia, they offer the knowledge, skills and engagement to invoke lasting positive change in school communities.

The Burn Bright team are dedicated, inclusive and values-driven, which is why I love working with them.

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